Dyeing-machine.



H. M. DUDLEY.

DYEING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 31. 1917- 1,261,499. Patented Apr. 2, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3 nvewto'c H. M. DUDLEY.

DYEING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 31. I911.

Patented Apr. 2,1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

kw vw H. M. DUDLEY.

, DYEING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 31. 1917.

1,261,499.. Patented Apr. 2, 1918.

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as emmm I HOWARD M. DUDLEY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

DYEING-MACHINEQ Application filed January 31, 1917.

To all whom. it may concern.

Be it known that I. Howxnn M. DUDLEY, a citizen of the United States. and a resident of Philadelphia, in the county ot Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and usetul Improve ments in Dyeingdilachines, of which the following is a specification.

Ivly invention relates to a dywing machine and refers particularly to a machine adapted for the dyeing of textile fibers compressed within a dyeing chamber, the dyeing being accomplished by the forced passage of the dye liquor through the fiber mass.

Among the objects of my invention is a. dyeing machine particularly suitable for the dyeing olj' warps in the ball, whereby the condition of the fiber may be accurately and readily judged at any stage of the treatment without opening the dyeing chamber and whereby even results may be obtained without disturbing the fiber to be dyed.

Another object 01 my invention is a dyein machine in which the dyed goods may be after-treated with water, steam, air, or other n'laterials or substances without handling the dyed goods.

Other objects of my invention will be evident upon a consideration of my specification and claims.

I have found that the even or uneven dyeing results obtained in a machine of this general character depend largely upon the particular shape oil the openings tl'n'ough which the dye liquor enters the fiber mass, and that unevenness can be prevented by the use of openings of a particular shape, the conformation of which enables the liquor to spread itseltl through the iiber mass without the formation of channels ot flow.

I have further found that this desirable result can be obtained it' the iiboranass is supported in the dyeing chamber upon a series of upwardly converging elements, as cones or pyramids. arranged with comparatively regularly disposed openings for the passage of the dye-liquor or other substances or material.

In the use of many dyestufis it is necessar after dyeing to treat the dyed goods with water ror washing purposes, or with solutions of chemicals such as metallic salts or oxidizing products, for the purpose of after-treatment, or with oxygen or air for oxidizing or drying purposes. In the following of these after-treatments it is essen- Speeification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 2, 1918.

Serial No. 145,787.

tial that every portion of the dyed goods be thoroughly and uniformlytreated and that the operation be performed as readily and quickly as possible. All of these results are obtainable by the use of the device of my invention, in which the goods are placed in the dyeing chamber and then rapidly, easily and completely dyed and after-treated without further handling of the goods and without the formation of channels by the liquids employed. The device therefore insures even and uniform results with a minimum of time, labor and expense.

One form of my device is shown in the accompanying drawings in which similar parts are designated by similar mimerals.

Figure 1 is a side view of one term of my invention, partly broken away to disclose a portion in cross-section.

Fi 2 is a broken cross-section through the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a broken cnlargen'lent of a crosssection through the line of Fig.

Fig. -.l is a cross-section through the line -l t of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a modified form of Fig. 4:.

Fig. 6 is a cross-section through the line 6 of Fig.

Fig. 7 is a broken top-plan view of a modification of the toraminous plate shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectimi through the line 88 ot' Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a broken top-plan view of a modification ot the foraminous plate shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 10 is a cross-section through the line 1010 of Fig. 9.

The outer portion of the dyeing machine, as illustrated, comprises the upwardly converging cover 12 removably attached to the annular member 13 by the screw bolts 1-l-, ll. the member 13 being movably attached to the shell15 by means of the screw bolts 16,16,the shell 15 being attached to the shell 17 by the bolts 18, 18, the shell 17 being attached to the downwardly converging shell 19 by the bolts 20, 20, the shell 19 being attached to the centrifugal pump 21 by the bolts 2.2, 22. The pipe 23 connects the chamber of the pump 21 with the three-way pipe 24:, the latter hav ing the pipes 25, 26 and 27 fitted respectively with the valves 28, 29 and 30. The pipe 25 is connected with an air compressor not shown; the pipe 26 opens into the, air and the pipe 27 may be connected with a drain or receptacle as desired. The pump 21 is connected with the pipe 31, which in turn is connected with the pipe 32, the latter being connected with the pipe 33 carrying the valve 3%, the pipe 35 carrying the valve 36 and the pipe 37 carrying the valve 38. The pipe 33 is connected with a dye-dissolving tank, not shown, the pipe 35 is connected with a liquor-reserve tank 39, and the pipe 37 is connected with a water supply.

The object of the reserve tank 39 is to allow of the production and use of a larger quantity of dye liquor than is necessary to fill the dyeing device. By this means the strength of the dye-liquor may be governed to meet the requirements of each individual dyeing operation, and the liquid maintained in a condition where the dye will not be precipitated upon the fiber. It also allows a more uniform supply of liquor to the pump 21.

The annular member 13 is of angular shape, one arm of which 10 fits within the interior face of the shell 15 and is slidable therein, its vertical movement being governed by means of the screw-bolts 16, 16 whic 1 thread in the projections 11, 4:1 of the shell 15.

The pi #12 connects the upper portion of the interior of the shell 15 with the liquor reserve tank 39 and carries the valve 43. The pipe as, carrying the valve d5 may be connected with a drain, not shown.

A fixed fiber-supporting plate as is situated between the shells 15 and 17 and comprises adjacently situated upwardly and downwardly converging pyramids d7, l7, having a series of openings d8, 18 for the passage of liquids, air, steam, etc.

The device is nrovided with a movable annular foraminous plate 50, the construction of which is similar to the foraminous plate d6.

In order to facilitate reference to the various chambers, they will hereafter be referred to as the top chamber 51, the dyeing; chamber 52, the liquor-supply chamber 53, and the lower chamber 54-.

A sample dyeing machine 55 exactly similar to the one above described except that it is in smaller proportion and carries the threaded closed top 56 instead of the top 12, is connected to the liquor-supply chamber 53 by the pipe 57 carrying the valve 58. The upper portion of the sample machine 55 is connected with a pipe 59, capable of being revolved into the position shown by the dotted line 60. r V

A pipe 61 connects the thermometer 62 with the liquor-supply chamber 54%, the pipe 61 being extended beyond the thermometer into the pipe 63, capable of being revolved into the position shown by the dotted line 64:.

Aperforated steam pipe 65 i within the liquor supply chamber 53.

. of dye-liquor The top chamber 51 contains a series of 1,2e1,4.ee

nested pyramidal shaped casings 66, 66 placed one within the other and supported by the diamond shaped bars 67, 67. A series of similarly nested pyramidal shaped casings 68, 68, supported by the members 69, 69 are situated Within the lower chamber 5%.

The operation of the device is as follows:

The top 12, the annular member 13 and the foraminous plate 50 are removed, and the good to be dyed introduced into the dyeing chamber 52 upon the foraminous plate 6. The foraminous plate 50 is then placed upon the goods, and the annular member 13 intro duced and moved downwardly by means of the screw bolts 16, 16 threaded in the projecting members all, d1, the annular member 13 pressing upon This downward movement of the annular member 13 and the foraminous plate 50 is continued until the proper pressure has been obtained upon the goods in the dyeing chamber 52. Goods are similarly placed in the sample device 55. Valves 45, 28, 29, 30, 38

and 3st are closed and valves 58, 13 and 36 are opened, and the pipes 59 and 63 situated as shown by the dotted lines and 6 1. The necessary dyestufl' having been dissolved in the dye-dissolving tank, not shown, connected with the pipe 33, the valve 34: is opened and the centrifugal pump 21 is started. The pump 21 forces the dye liquor upwardly between the nested pyramidal casings 68, 68 in the bottom chamber 54, the liquor supply chamber 53, the foraminous plate 16, the dyeing chamber 52 and the goods contained therein. [is the liquor rises it will pass through the overflow pipe 12 into the liquorreserve tank 39, from which it will pass through the pipe 35 into the pump 21, thus allowing of a continuous circulation of the dye-liquor upwardly through the device. During this operation the dye-liquor is forced upwardly through the sample device 55 and the goods contained therein. The temperature i varied by means of steam introduced through the steam-pipe and the temperature determined by means of the thermometer 62. From time to time, the valve 58 is closed, the top 56 of the sample device 55 removed and the goods contained therein examined to determine their condition, and the top 56 replaced and the valve 58 opened and the dyeing operation continued until a test of the goods in the sample device show them to be properly dyed.

The next step is the removal of the dye liquor contained in the device. This is accomplished by closing valves e3, 34: and36, opening valve 30 and stopping the pump 21. This allow all of the dye-liquor in the device to drain through the pipe 27 into a suit able receptacle for future use 1f desired.

the foraminous plate 50.

The next step is that ofwashing the excess from the goods and this is accomplished by closing valve- 30 and opening valves 38, and l5, and starting pump 21. This allows fresh water to enter through the pipes 37, 32 and 31 into the pump 21 which forces it upwardly through the device and the goods contained therein and through the overflow pipe 4-1 into a drain.

The next step is that of oxidizing the dyeings, if oxidizable, by means of air or of drying the goods. This is accon'iplished by placing the pipes 59 and 63 in the position shown by the full lines, placing the top 12 upon the device, aflixing it thereto by means of the screw-bolts 1 1, 14:, and attaching the upper open end of the top 12 to a vacuum or suction pump, not shown. The valves 15 and 38 are closed, the valve 29 is opened, and the pump 21 stopped. The vacuum or suction pump attached to the top 12 thus draws air through the pipe 26 upwardly through the device and the goods contained therein. If the amount of air thus obtained is insullicient for the purposes desired, the valve 28 connecting the pipe 25 with an air compressor may be opened and the valve 29 closed and thus sutlicient air may be obtained. It is evident that the air passing through the pipes 25 and 26 may be heated before its introduction into the device, if desired.

The particular formation of the foraminous plate 16 causes the dye liquor to be spread out and evenly distributed through the goods, causing even dyeings, the plate 50, because of its similarity to the plate 16, causes a more regular pressure of the dye liquor within the dyeing chamber 52 and the pyramidal members 66,66 and 68,68 intensify this distribution and regularity of pressure.

It is to be further noted that the goods are dyed, washed and after-treated or dried without handling, and that all of the operations are under exactly the same conditions, and that the condition of the goods being dyed or treated can be determined at any time during the operation without interrupting the operation by examining the goods in the sample device 55.

In the modification shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the nested elements 70,70 are conical in' shape and are supported by the members 71, 71. In this modification it is advisable to have the top 12, the member 13 and the shells 15,17 and 19, and the pump 21 of a circular shape, the sample device being also circular.

In the modification shown in Figs. 7 and S, the foraminous plates 46 and 50 of Fig. 1 comprise a series of upwardly and downwardly converging pyramids 4:7, 17, the openings 72,72 being situated at the adjacent corners of the pyramidal members.

In the modification shown in Figs. 9 and 10 the foraminous plates 46 and 50 of Fig. 1 comprise adjacently situated upwardly and downwardly converging cones 73, 73, having a series of openings 74,7 1 for the passage of liquids, air, steam, etc.

I do not limit myself to the particular size, shape, number or arrangement of parts as illustrated and described, as any or all of them may be varied without going beyond the scope of my invention as described and claimed.

W hat is claimed, is:

1. In a dyeing machine, in combination, a receptacle, a lower foraminous plate comprising a series of upwardly and downwardly converging elements with openings between said elements, an upper fo 'aminous plate comprising a series of upwardly and downwardly converging elements with openings between said elements spaced from the lower plate, a fiber chamber formed by the two plates and the sides of the receptacle, means whereby air may be passed through the device, and means for forcing a liquid through the openings in the lower plate, the fiber chamber and the openings in the upper plate.

2. In a dyeing machine, in combination, a receptacle, a lower foraminous plate com prising a series of upwardly and down- 'ardly converging elements with openings between said elements, an upper foraminous plate comprising a series of upwardly and downwardly converging elements with openings between said elements spaced from the lower plate, means for maintaining the second plate at varying distances from the first plate, a fiber chamber formed by the two plates and the sides of the receptacle, means whereby air may be passed through the device, and means for forcing a liquid through the openings in the lower plate, the fiber chamber and the openings in the upper plate.

In a dyeing machine, in combination,

a receptacle, a foraminous fiber plate comprising a series of upwardly converging elements with openings between said elements, a second foraminous plate within the receptacle, means for maintaining the second plate at varying distances from the first plate, a fiber chamber between the plates, a liquid supply chamber below the first plate, a chamber below the supply chamber, a series of nested converging members within the last-mentioned chamber so arranged as to allow the passage between them of a liquid from a pump chamber to the supply chamber, a pump chamber and means for forcing a liquid through the receptacle.

t. In a dyeing machine, in combination, a receptacle, a fOlZLl'l'llIlOUS fiber plate comprising a series of upwardly converging elements with openings between said elements,

a second foraminous plate within the receptacle, means for maintaining the second the device, a smaller testing device, similar and proportionate to,

.vice, eXt-e ior ot the larger device,

plate at varying distances from the first plate, a fiber chamber between the plates, a series of nes ed converging members below the first foraminous plate, means for forcing a liquid between the series of convergingmembers, and means for returning the liquid from the top of the receptacle to the forcing means.

5. In a dyeing machine, in combination, a receptacle, :1 lower foraminous plate comprising a se s of upwardly and downwardly conix ging elements with openings between said nen an upper foraminous plate comprising a series of upwardly and downwardly converging elements with openings between said elements spaced from the lower plate, a fiber chamber formed by the two plates and the sides otthe receptacle, means whereby air may bepassed through and exterior to the larger device, means connecting the spaces below the two lower fcraminous plates for the passage of a liquid and means for tore ing a liquid equallythrougl the two devices.

6. In a dyeingmachine, in combination, a receptacle, a'lower foraminous plate comprising a series of upwardly and downwardly converging elements with openings between said elements, an upper'foraminous plate comprising a series of upwardly and downwardly convergingelements with openings betweensaid elements spaced from the lowerplate, a fiber chamber termed by-the two platesand the sides of the receptacle, means for maintaining the upper plate at varying distances from the lower plate, a liquid supply chamber below the lowerplate, a chamber below the supply chamber, av series ofnested downwardly converging mem-' here within the last-mentioned chamber so arranged as to allow the passage of a liquid bet-ween them,-a pump, a smaller testing dehaving foraminous plates, a fiber chamber and a supply chamber similar and proportionate to'those of the larger device, means for connecting the two supply chambers for the passage of a liquid and means for forcing a liquid through the bWQClQVlCQS.

7. In a dyeing machine, in combination, a receptacle, a lower foraminous plate comprising" a series or upwardly and downwardly. conyerging elements with openings between said elements, an upper foraminous plate comprising a series of upwardly and downwardly converging elements with open- Gopiee of this patent may be obtained for five cents passage 01"" -may be forced through i the two devices, -means for returning the liquid for continuinents with openings liquid through the device, i conductlng air through the device.

said elements spaced from the a fiber chamber formed bythe the sides of the receptacle, plate at from the lower plate, a,

liquid supply chamber below the lower plate,;

a chamber below the supply chamber, a se-l ries of nested downwardly converging members within the last-mentioned chamber so arranged as to allow the passage of a liquid between them, a pump,- a smaller testing device exterior of the larger device, having foraminous plates, a fiber chamber and a supply chamber similar and proportionate to those of the larger device, means for connecting the two supply chambers for the a liquid, means-whereby a liquid ous circulation and means for conducting airequally through the two devices.

8; In a dyeing machine, in combination, a, receptacle, a 'i oraminous fiber plate comprising a series or upwardly converging elebetween said elements,

a second ioraminous plate within the receptacle,

means for maintaining the second plate at varying distances from the first late, afiber' chamber between the lates a P P a liquid supply chamber belowthe first plate, a chamber below the supply chamber, a se- TlQS of-nested downwardly convergmg members within the last-mentioned chamber so arranged as to allow the, passage between them of a liquid from the supply chamber, a pumpchambena top bliamber above .thefiber chamber, a series of nested upwardly converging members within thetop chamber so arranged as to allow thepassage of a liquid, means for forcing a and means for 9. In a dyeing machine, in combination, a

receptacle, a toraminous fiber plate comprising a series of upwardly and downwardly converging elements with openings between said elements, a fiber chamber adj acent to the toraminous plate, means for torcing a liquid through the openings in the foraminous plate, and means for conduct-1 ing air through the openings in the toraminous plate.

Signed at New York city, in'the county of New York and State of New York, this 29th day of January, 1917.

- HOVVABD M. DUDLEY;

Washington, I 0.

a pump chamber to 

